Automatic photo-composer

ABSTRACT

This invention transfers a graphic image from a reduced film image to the appropriate location on a film photo-composed page. The preferred embodiment of this invention consists of an aperture card (microfilm mounted on computer punch card) handling system for feeding and positioning the reduced image film; an image copying system which projects light through the reduced image and focuses it onto the correct horizontal position on the output photocomposed page; and a system for accurately positioning the photo-composed page film.

United States Patent 1 1 Schneider AUTOMATIC PHOTO-COMPOSER [76]Inventor: Walter Schneider, 515 S. Riverside Dr., Villa Park, Ill.

[22] Filed: June 30, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 267,950

[52] US. Cl .Q 355/43; 355/45, 355/65 [51] Int. Cl. G03b 27/70 [58]Field of Search; 95/4.5 R; 355/40-43, 44, 45, 50, 51, 53, 54, 64-66 [56]I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,458,253 7/1969 Hansen 355/43X 3,225,649

12/1965 Timares et a1; 355/42 v Apr. 9, 1974 Primary Examiner-Samuel S.Matthews Assistant ExaminerRichard A. Wintercorn Attorney, Agent, orFirm'.iames A. Geppert [57] ABSTRACT This invention transfers a graphicimage from a reduced film image to the appropriate location on a filmphoto-composed page. The preferred embodiment of this invention consistsof an aperture card (microfilm mounted on computer punch card) handlingsystem for feeding and positioning the reduced image film; an imagecopying system which projects light through the reduced image andfocuses it onto the correct horizontal position on the outputphotocomposed page;

and a system for accurately positioning the photocomposed page film.

13 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures .26 25 CARD (5 AQ B C 151 29 HORIZONTALREPOSITIONING SYSTEM PATENTEBAPR 9 m4 $802,773

sum 5 or 5 ROTATE MOVE MOVE MOVE MOVE ROTATE POSITION GLOGKWISE mm UPDOWN LEFT acumen comm @725 L LOEKWlE mum/m1 i T0 MOTOR REED RELAYS M004;mm 0550 u 7 222: iii? /Bv no: 0000a MEET INPUT PAGE FILM OUTPUT PAGEFILM EXAMPLE INPUT CARDS 45 I 7 I b l AUTOMATIC PHOTO-COMPOSER Thisinvention provides a method whereby graphic material can be placed on aphoto-composed page for the purpose of photo-composition. The :input tothis device is a reduced'film copy of the graphic image labeled by itslocation on the page to produce photo-composed pages with the graphicmaterial properly positioned on the page.

There are presently many devices for photo typesetting of text materialwhich can photo-compose the text of a page. At'present there is nosystem of automatically merging graphics material with the text. Thisinvention accomplishes just that.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of anautomatic photo-composer for use in adding graphic images to apreviously photo-typeset film, which vwill accurately and preciselyposition the devise is controlled jbya minicomputer r utilizing punchedcomputercards having a film mounted in an aperture in the card with thedesired image on the film.

The film image is projected onto the typeset output film.

Another object of the present invention is the provisionof an automaticphoto-composer having an image correction system which can correct errorfrom film mounting and operative card handling. The image correctionsystem utilizes a semi-conductor correcting target with a photocellmatrix receiving a hairline light beam from the aperture card. Thephotocell matrix controls motor reed relays which will cause movement ofone or more mirrors in the image projection system to cause movement ofthe image up or down, right or left, or rotate clockwise orcounterclockwise, and then indicate when .the image position is correct.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of anautomatic photo-composing device with a system to position the image inthe proper horizontal column. This system utilizes a series of pairs ofmirrors which may be inserted into the image light beam to change thelight path depending on which column the imageisto be positioned ascontrolled by the punched aperture cards.

The present invention also comprehends theprovision of an electroniccontrol system for the automatic ploto-composing device which willaccurately control the positioning and projection of the graphic imagesfrom the aperture cards 'to the typeset film.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,efficiency, economyand ease of as-. sembly and operation and suchfurther objects, advantages and 'capabilities as will later more fullyappear and are inherently possessed thereby In the drawings:

'FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the major components of the system.

FIG. 2 shows the output film where the graphic images have been copiedthereon.

' FIG. 3 shows an'input aperture card containing a graphic image.

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic showing of the electronic and electricalsubsystems of the'invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing of the horizontal column beamrepositioning system.

of the image correction graphic images onto the proper pages on thefilm. This FIGS. 7a-'7e show the hairline photo-cell matrix device andthe projection of various hair lines on it.

. FIG. 8 is a showing ofa sample film input to and completed film outputfrom this device, and image input cards for the film input. 7

FIG. 9 is a schematic showing of the continuous horizontal repositioningapparatus.

An example of the use of this device would be in the setting of a yellowpages section of a phone book. The text would be set by aphoto-typesetting device with white space left for ads, the input pagefilm in FIG. 8 being an example. As a computer program produces thephoto-type-setting magnetic tape for the phototypesetter, it would alsoproduce a tape containing the identification number, location, andmagnification of each ad in the book. Then, aperture cards (see FIG. 3)containing the reducedv negative copy of the ad 112, and the punched adidentification number 107, are read into a'computer which then punchesthe page on which the ad is to occur at 108, the leading from the top ofthe page at 109, the column in which the ad starts at 110, and a codeindicatingwhat magnification onto the appropriate location on thetypeset film. The

end result is a complete page, similar to the output film shown in FIGS.2 and 8.

The system disclosed in FIGS. 1 through 6, illustrates one embodiment ofthis invention. In this embodiment the image is transferred opticallyfrom the reduced film input to the output film. The primary componentsof this system are: 1) a system for handling the output page onto whichfilm images are copied; 2) a system for feeding, reading, andpositioning aperture cards; and 3) a system for copying the image fromthe aperture card to the output film.

The output film handling system feeds film from a normalphoto-typesetting machine past the graphic imaging system, and to atake-up reel. I

Referring-to FIG. 1, the typeset output film l is fed from roll 2containedin film cartridge 3 over sprockets 4, 8 and roller 14 to betaken up on take-up reel 15 in cartridge 16. A DC motor 19 is actuatedwhenever the film'loop 5 gets so small that micro-switch 7 is closed.Thereafter motor 19 drives the sprocket 4 playing out film until thefilm contacts micro-switch 6, stopping motor 19.

Stepping motor 20 operates sprocket 8 which keeps the film taut overmetal plate 22. The stepping motor allows for very accurate positioningof the film l and, in conjunction with metal plate 22, keeps the filmtaut where the image beam 18 contacts the film. This allows for veryfast and accurate positioning of the film.

Before the image beam 18 contacts the film l, a portion of the beam isblocked by shield 10 which marks portions of the input film imagecontaining correction and identification marks. After passing throughthe shield the image passes through a removable photographic line screen9 and then onto film 1. When images requiring half-tone processes are tobe copied, screen 9 is in place in order that halftone images areprojected onto the film. Screen 9 is removed for line work or othergraphic material not requiring halftone screening.

Microswitch -17 is designed to determine the beginning of pages on thefilm 1. With reference to FIG. 2, several leading photo-typesettingmachines put notches 76, 77 on'the output film to indicate the start ofpage positions; Whenever one of these notches 76 or 77 passes undermircroswitch 17, a pulse is sent to the computer indicating that a newpage is positioned under the image beam 18. Since the computer systempulses stepping motor 20 and reads page indications from micro-switch'17, an internal counter indicates what portion of film, is positionedunder the image screen.

As the film passes across metal plate 22, it passes under the crosshairprojection lamp 94. This lamp is turned on when the appropriate portionof film 1 passes under it to copy a printers crosshair onto the film foruse for later alignment. As film loop 11 increases, micro-switchlZisclosed activating motor 21, causing take-up'reel 15 to turn, windingup'film untilmicroswitch 13 is'closed. I t

v v CARD HANDLING I The card handling system feeds the cards, reads thepunched holes, physically positions the cards, and then opticallypositions the images The card feeding process (see FIG. 1) takes thecards from the inputhopper 24, passes them under rollers and under thecard reading head 26 to the film cleaning head 27', and then under thecard imaging system 64 where the image is'copied onto the output film.After the images have been copied, the cards are fed into card hopper28, It is important to .note, that the punched information of the secondcard has been read before the first cards image is copied with thepunched information of both cards kept in the devices computer memory.The purpose of having the'information for both cards stored will beexplained in the image copyingsystem.

For fuller explanation, the processing of one aperture card will befollowed through the card handling system. On the first-feed cyclethecard is fed onto the path 29 from the input hopper24. On the second feedcycle the card moves .underthe card reading head 26. At this point, thepunched data is read from the card. During the third feed cycle, thecard passes under the film cleaner 27 and is positioned under the cardimaging system 64'for image copying. When the card blocks the light onphotocell 30 the card .feed mechanism is braked to stop the cardimmediately. At this point physical positioning of theaperture card iscomplete.

IMAGE CORRECTION Because of inaccuracies in mounting the mm. film on theaperture card and theexaggeration of these errors by the magnificationprocess, each input image must be repositioned. FIG. 3 shows a typicalinput aperture card 34 with an aligning crosshair 106 photographed ontothe film. By accurately positioning this crosshair, the film image iscorrectly aligned for projection and errors in mounting the film on theaperture and in card positioning are compensated for.

The image correction system (see FIGS. 1 and 4) projects the reducedfilm image onto two sets of front surfaced mirrors or Dove prisms whichreposition the image vertically, horizontally and rotationally, Lightfrom lamp 31 passes through condensing lens 32 and the reduced filmimage 33, projecting the image onto reflecting mirrors or Dove prisms 35and 41. The light beam then passes through a projecting lens 42 and abeam splitter 43.. A portion 47 of the beam passes through a second lens44 to a semi-conductor correctingtarget 45. A front view ofsemi-conductor target 45 is shown enlarged in FIG. 7a.

The image correction circuit consists of three DC motors and a photocellmatrix. The photocell matrix on target 45 provides seven output lineswhich drive each motor forward or in reverse and indicate when thecormotion. is complete. FIG. 7a is an enlarged view of the photocellmatrix and indicates the output lines. These output lines are coupled toelectronic or electromechanical switches which activate the imagepositioning motors. Current will not energize a motor'unless thehairline light beam crosses two of the photocell sections that controlthe motor. I

FIGS. 7b7e explain in greater detail just how the hairline ispositioned. The dotted line represents light from the film hairline. Thelight in FIG. 7b crosses photocells 65, 66, 70, 72. This causes the moveleft switch to close. Referring to FIG. 4, motor 115 is actuated torotate pinion gear 114 and move rack gear 113 and therefore motor 37 andmirror or Dove prisms 35 to the left, thus causing the hairline to moveto the position shown in FIG. 70. The hairline in FIG. 7c falls on.photocells 65, 66, 70, 71. Photocells-70 and 71 close therotatecounter-clockwise switch and actuate motor 37 to rotate mirror orDove prisms 35, while motor continues to move the mirror or Dove prisms35 to the. left due to light on photocells 65 and 66. In FIG. 7d, thehairline crosses only photocells 66 and 67 and thevertical portion ofphotocell 73. The

. SHUTTER CONTROL FIG. 4 shows the shutter 83 which normally blockslight beam 18. The minicomputer switches the shutter 83 on and off toeither block or allow the light beam 18 to pass to lightsensitive'recording member l. I

Q HORIZONTAL COLUMN REPOSITIONING SYSTEM The horizontal columnrepositioning system shown in I FIG. 6 consists primarily of sets ofmirrors arranged to project the graphic image to one of a set ofhorizontal locations on the output film. As indicated in FIG. 6, the

distance the light beam travels from shutter.83 to the light sensitiverecording member 1 (output page film) is held constant in order tokeepthe image focused while it is being horizontally repositioned.

Each set of mirrors consists of two front surface mirrors 56 and 57, 54and 55, 52 and 53 or 50 and'5l mounted equidistant from an apex of aguide.87,88,89

or 90, respectively. 87, 88, 89 mirror guides are installed in mirrorguide runners 92 and 93. The mirror guide 87 for column one ispositioned and fastened so that the center of mirror 56 intersects lightbeam' 18. With mirrors 56 and 57 positioned on guide 87 equidistant fromtheiapex 91, the graphic image can be projected 'sothat its left edgefalls on the left edge of column oneon the light sensitive recordingmember 1.

- Horizontal repositioning for columns two, three, and four is handledbasically the same way except that mirrors 50, 52'and 54 areretractable. Mirrors 50, -52 and 54 are mounted on solenoids 84, 85 and86, respectively, so that they reflect the light beam'only when theirappropriate solenoid is activated. In FIG. 6, mirror 52 is shownextended. In this case, light beam 18 is reflected down lightpath '60and horizontally displaced so that the left edge is located on the leftedge of column three. Light beam 18 will travel down light path 58 if nosolenoids are activated; path 59, if solenoid 86 is activated; path 60,if 85 is activated; and path 61, if solenoid 84 is activated. Thus, byactivating solenoid 84, 85 or 86, the image can be projected to any ofthe predetermined horizontal positions.

CONTINUOUS HORIZONTAL REPOSITIONING 1 SYSTEM I ln situations where thegraphic images are not set in Y column format, a moving mirror pairshown in FIG.- 9 isused. A minicomputer pulses stepping motor 100 whichin turn rotates spur gear 99 moving rack gear 98. This in turn moves thepair of front surfaced mirrors 97, which deflect light beam 18, Thissystem has the ad- In order to produce full color images for printing,four copies of the original graphic material, must be made, one each foryellow, magenta, cyan and black. To accomplish this, four output pagefilms are made. Referring to FIG. 4, for copying the black portion ofthe image, filter 62 is a modified filter With this filter in place theblack portions of the image are transferred onto the phototypeset outputfilm giving an end result similar tothat' in FIG. 2. After all the cardshave been run through for the black portion of the image, theaperture'cards are run through three more times with the respectivefilters in place to produce yellow, magenta and cyan portions of theimage on bulk film which is spaced tothe appropriate location for theimage to be copied onto it.

ELECTRONIC CONTROL SYSTEM Although a hard wired system could accomplishthe control of the equipment described, the preferred em bodiment ofthis invention employs a minicomputer to increase its versatility.Inputs to the minicomputer (FIG. 5) are data from card reader 26,photocell 30, crosshair correction indicator 73, page sensingswitch 17,film sensing switch 75, and a teletype input. Outputs from theminicomputer control the card feeding system, the image correctionsystem, magnification lens system 63, shutter 83, mirror controllingsolenoids 84, 85, 86, stepping motor 20, printers hairline projector 94,and a teletype output.

The controlling circuits and their functions can be illustrated byfollowing the procedure for setting a two 6 page book with three graphicimages. FIG. 8 shows the input aperture cards79, and 81, input typesetpage film 78, and the output page film 82. FIGS schematically shows thecontrolling operation.

To initiate operation, 1) input film 78 which was previously typeset ona conventional photo-typesetting machine is mounted in the page filmhandling system; 2) the three aperture cards are loadedinto card hopper24; 3) power is turned on; and 4) the number of the first page is typedinto the teletype. The minicomputer then pulses stepping motor 20 untilthe first page indicator notch 76 is sensed by switch 17. At this pointthe internal page film counter-104 is'set to the page number that wastyped in, in this case page 1, with vertical leading set at zero. Thecomputer turns on the printers hairline projector 94 (FIG. 1) whichcopies a hairline (FIG. 8) onto the output film 82. The printershairline is' copied to allow for later alignment of printing plates,particularly in the use of color.

- The card handling system feeds cards 79, 80 and 81 such that when card79 is'at the imaging station 64, card 80 has passed under the readinghead 26 and is ready to be fed into the imaging station, and card 81 hasbeen fed and is ready to be fed past reading head 26. The punchedinformation from card 79 was read by reading head 26 and stored in theimage card storage indicator 103 of the minicomputer. The punchedinformation of card 80 is stored in the buffered card storage indicator102.

At this point the normal operation of the device has begun.Whenphotocell 30 is blocked by card 79 at the imaging station, thecomputer switches on the optical hairline correction system. Theinformation from the image card storage column indicator selects whichsolenoid 84, 85 or 86 in the horizontal repositioning system is to beactivated to position a particular mirror in light beam 18. Or, in thecontinuous column repositioning system, the number of pulses thestepping motor receives. Lens system 63 is operated so the lenses are inthe correct position for the magnification code specified on the imagecard. When the image is correctly positioned, as indicated by cross hairindicator 73 and the appropriate column mirror. is positioned, animage-ready-to-be-copied switch 122 is set in the computer;

During all of this time, the computer has been going through a page filmadvance cycling procedure which consists of the computer pulsing thestepping motor 20, incrementing the internal page film leading counter104, and comparing the internal page film counter 104 with the page andleading information from the image card storage indicator 103. If thefilm page number and/or leading is larger than the information from theimage card storage indicator 103, the machine stops and an alarm rings.If smaller, the computer pulses motor 20, increments the counter 104 andcompares again.

When the page and leading values of the image card storage indicator 103and internal page film leading counter 104 are equal, the copy cyclebegins. First the image-ready-to-be-copied switch 122 is checked con- Ytinuously until it indicates ready. The shutter 83 is then opened toallow light beam 18 to pass through for a prescribed perior of time. Theimage is now in proper position on the output page film. I

The graphic material on the aperture card 79 film was a 4 column by 3inch graphic image in this exam-- i 7 ple.-The graphic image waspositioned onto the page so that the left edge of the image aligns withthe left edge of column 1, and the top ofthe graphic image falls ataleading of 3.50 inches from the top of the page, as indicatedby punchedinformation from the image card. By positioning theleft and top edge ofthe graphic image, its location is fullyidetermined. The area of thepage film receiving light is determined by the original material. Inthis way a three column by 2 inch graphic original will be a threecolumn by '2 inch graphic on the page film if no magnification isindicated.

lf magnification is indicated the minicomputer outputs pulses to thelens system 63 which repositions the lenses to-the desiredmagnification. Magnification is normally done only when the continuoushorizontal repositioning system is used. The minicomputer calculates thehorizontal and vertical displacement that results from the magnificationand inserts these corrected values in the image card, storageindicator103. With these corrected values the system works as previouslydescribed. a

After the image from card 79 is copied, the machine feedsin a new cardand prepares for copying it. After shutter 18 closes, theimage-ready-to-be-copied switch 122 is turned off, the contents of thebuffered cardindicator are moved into the image card storage indicator,and the page, film advance cycle is started. As the pagefilm isadvanced, page film notch 77 passes under page sensing switch 17. Whentheswitch is closed the computer increments the internal page film pagecounter '104,resets, the. internal page film leading to zero, and turnson hairline projector 94 which copies a'printers hairline 96 onto thepage film.

Since the next graphic image 80 is to appear in column 2-the computeractivates solenoid 86, extending mirror 54 to cause the left edge-of thegraphic image to align with the left edge of column 2. The card image isthen copied in the same manner as card 79, but on page 2 with a verticalleading of 2.10 inches and the left edge, aligned with column 2s leftedge.

The machine then cycles again and card 81s image is also copied. in thisway a book of any length, with any number of pages (maximum 10,000) andany numberof graphic images can be merged with'type completelyautomatically.

When the minicomputer cannot continue, in situations such as a card jam,card out of order, too few cards, inability to position correctingcrosshair, or end of page film, the machine stops, sounds an alarm togain operator attention, and specifies the problem via the teletype.

This invention is also operablewith' any electrical or opticalprojection system, e.g., a television camera converting the film imageto electrical signals and a cathode ray tube to convert the electricalsignals to light which is then focused onto the film.

While the forms of apparatus herein described conlocation on a recordingmember, comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitiverecordingmember which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicatormarks, means for positioning the graphic film images for copying themontothe recording member, means for projecting an image beam through thefilm image onto the recording member, means for intermittently movingthe recording member relative to the, image beam, and a correctionsystem for correcting errors in positioning of the film comprising aphoto-electric target receiving an indicator image from the film copy ofthe graphic image, and means to reposition the image beam from the filmcopy to the recording member to correct for horizontal, vertical androtational errors to a standard position indicated by the target. I

2.- An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, inwhich the correction indicator image is accurately positioned on thefilm copy of the graphic 'image to be copied by photographing 'theindicator image onto the film copy when the original graphic image isphotographed thereon. I

3. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, inwhichsaid repositioning means includes one or more rotating mirrors orDove prisms and individual motors actuating the mirrors or Dove prismsfor horizontal, vertical and rotational movement.

4. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in whichsaid target includes a photocell matrix providing'seven matrix lines,and electrical activating means connected to said matrix lines'toactuate the repositioning means. I

5. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in whichsaid projection means includes an enlarging lens, a beam splitterdividing the image beam into two parts, one of which is projected ontothe photo-electric target, and means to deflect the remainder of thebeam to variable positions on the recording member.

6. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1,including optical means for projecting the image beam with'horizontaldisplacement onto the rewhich may contain photo '-typeset text or pageindicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images forcopying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an imagebeam through the film image, means for intermittently-moving therecording member relative to the image beam, and means for projectingthe image with horizontal displacement onto the recording member,wherein information indicating the position that the film image is tooccupy on the recording member is coded onto the film containing theimage or the mounting card therefor, the information being used by theapparatus to position the film image onto the recording member. 5

8. An automatic photo-composing system as set fort in claim 7, includinga card hopper receiving the aperture cards, a card reading device underwhich each card is fed, and a projection system where each card ispositioned such that light is projected through the film image of theaperture card.

9. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, linedrawings and half-tones in either color or black and white from filmcopies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and vertical ingthe image beam onto the recording member, and

beam deflection means including at least one pair of mirrors positionedin the image beams path whereby the image is horizontally deflected withthe focal length of the image beam remaining 'constant, and means toposition the mirrors such that the light is deflected horizontally fromthe first mirror to the second mirror such that the angle of the secondmirror has an angle of incidence with the image beam of 90 minus theangle of incidence of the beam with the first mirror.

10. An automatic photocomposing system. as set forth in claim 9, inwhich one pair of mirrors intersect each other at and are secured to arack, a pinion engaging the rack, and a motor actuating the pinion tomove the rack and mirrors such that as the distance between the imagesource and the mirrors decreases, the distance. the light beam travelsbetween the two mirrors decreases in such a way as to decrease thehorizontal displacement of the image while keeping the beam length fromthe film image to the light sensitive recording member constant.

11. An automatic photo-comprising system as set forth in claim 9, inwhich the mirror positioning means includes a pair of mirrors for eachcolumn on the page to be printed, a guide for each pair of mirrors withthe mirrors mounted equidistant from the apex of the guide, each pair ofmirrors being positioned on its guide to deflect the light beam to adesired column, one mirror of each pair adapted to be positioned in theinitial path of the light beam, the first mirror for one column beingstationary, and a'solenoid for the first mirror of each additional pairto project its mirror into the initial path of the light beam anddeflect the light beam to a column in a different horizontal positionrelative to said one column. I

12. An automatic photo-comprising system for copying graphic images,line drawings and half-tones in either color or. black and white fromfilm copies of the desired images to the correct'horizontal and verticallocation on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus includinga light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset textor page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film imagesfor copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting animage b'eam through the film image, optical means for projecting theimage beam onto the recording member, and a handling system for thelight sensitive recording member including an input roll of therecording member, means for pulling the recording member off of theinput roll to produce a loop, means to retain the recording member tautwhere the projected image beam contacts it, means to advance therecording member under the image beam,.means to sense the beginning of apage on the recording member, a light shield to prevent unwantedportions of the image beam from contacting the member, and means fortaking up the recording member after the member has passed through theimage copying device.

' 13. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images,line drawings and half tones in either color or black and white fromfilm copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and verticallocation on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus includinga light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset textor page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film imagesfor copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting animage beam through the film image, means for intermittently moving therecording member relative to the image beam, an optical correctionsystem for correcting errors in film repositioning comprising aphoto-electric target receiving an indicator image, one or more rotatingmirrors or Dove prisms acting to reposition the image to a standardposition to copy the film image onto the recording member, motorsactuating the mirrors and Dove prisms, and optical means for projectingthe image beam with horizontal displace ment onto the recording memberincluding an enlarging lens, a device which splits the beam into twoparts, one of which is projected through a lens to the photoelectrictarget, a film shutter and means to deflect the remainder of the beam tovariable positions on therecording member.

1. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphic images, linedrawings and half-tones in either color or black and white from filmcopies of the desired images to the correct horizontal and verticallocation on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatus includinga light sensitive recording member which may contain photo-typeset textor page indicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film imagesfor copying them onto the recording member, means for projecting animage beam through the film image onto the recording member, means forintermittently moving the recording member relative to the image beam,and a correction system for correcting errors in positioning of the filmcomprising a photo-electric target receiving an indicator image from thefilm copy of the graphic image, and means to reposition the image beamfrom the film copy to the recording member to correct for horizontal,vertical and rotational errors to a standard position indicated by thetarget.
 2. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1,in which the direction indicator image is accurately positioned on thefilm copy of the graphic image to be copied by photographing theindicator image onto the film copy when the original graphic image isphotographed thereon.
 3. An automatic photo-composing system as setforth in claim 1, in which said repositioning means includes one or morerotating mirrors or Dove prisms and individual motors actuating themirrors or Dove prisms for horizontal, vertical and rotational movement.4. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1, in whichsaid target includes a photocell matrix providing seven matrix lines,and electrical activating means connected to said matrix lines toactuate the repositioning means.
 5. An automatic photo-composing systemas set forth in claim 1, in which said projection means includes anenlarging lens, a beam splitter dividing the image beam into two parts,one of which is projected onto the photo-electric target, and means todeflect the remainder of the beam to variable positions on the recordingmember.
 6. An automatic photo-composing system as set forth in claim 1,including optical means for projecting the image beam with horizontaldisplacement onto the recording member.
 7. An automatic photo-composingsystem for copying graphic images, line drawings and half-tones ineither color or black and white from film copies of the desired imagesto the correct horizontal and vertical location on a recording member,comprising a copying apparatus including a light sensitive recordingmember which may contain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks,means for positioning the graphic film images for copying them onto therecording member, means for projecting an image beam through the filmimage, means for intermittently moving the recording member relative tothe image beam, and means for projecting the image with horizontaldisplacement onto the recording member, wherein information indicatingthe position that the film image is to occupy on the recording member iscoded onto the film containing the image or the mounting card therefor,the information being used by the apparatus to position the film imageonto the recording member.
 8. An automatic photo-composing system as setforth in claim 7, including a card hopper receiving the aperture cards,a card reading device under which each card is fed, and a projectionsystem where each card is positioned such that light is projectedthrough the film image of the aperture card.
 9. An automaticphoto-composing system for copying graphic images, line drawings andhalf-tones in either color or black and white from film copies of thedesired images to the correct horizontal and vertical location on arecording member, comprising a copying apparatus including a lightsensitive recordinG member which may contain photo-typeset text or pageindicator marks, means for positioning the graphic film images forcopying them onto the recording member, means for projecting an imagebeam through the film image, means for intermittently moving therecording member relative to the image beam, optical means forprojecting the image beam onto the recording member, and beam deflectionmeans including at least one pair of mirrors positioned in the imagebeam''s path whereby the image is horizontally deflected with the focallength of the image beam remaining constant, and means to position themirrors such that the light is deflected horizontally from the firstmirror to the second mirror such that the angle of the second mirror hasan angle of incidence with the image beam of 90* minus the angle ofincidence of the beam with the first mirror.
 10. An automaticphoto-composing system as set forth in claim 9, in which one pair ofmirrors intersect each other at and are secured to a rack, a pinionengaging the rack, and a motor actuating the pinion to move the rack andmirrors such that as the distance between the image source and themirrors decreases, the distance the light beam travels between the twomirrors decreases in such a way as to decrease the horizontaldisplacement of the image while keeping the beam length from the filmimage to the light sensitive recording member constant.
 11. An automaticphoto-composing system as set forth in claim 9, in which the mirrorpositioning means includes a pair of mirrors for each column on the pageto be printed, a guide for each pair of mirrors with the mirrors mountedequidistant from the apex of the guide, each pair of mirrors beingpositioned on its guide to deflect the light beam to a desired column,one mirror of each pair adapted to be positioned in the initial path ofthe light beam, the first mirror for one column being stationary, and asolenoid for the first mirror of each additional pair to project itsmirror into the initial path of the light beam and deflect the lightbeam to a column in a different horizontal position relative to said onecolumn.
 12. An automatic photo-composing system for copying graphicimages, line drawings and half-tones in either color or black and whitefrom film copies of the desired images to the correct horizontal andvertical location on a recording member, comprising a copying apparatusincluding a light sensitive recording member which may containphoto-typeset text or page indicator marks, means for positioning thegraphic film images for copying them onto the recording member, meansfor projecting an image beam through the film image, optical means forprojecting the image beam onto the recording member, and a handlingsystem for the light sensitive recording member including an input rollof the recording member, means for pulling the recording member off ofthe input roll to produce a loop, means to retain the recording membertaut where the projected image beam contacts it, means to advance therecording member under the image beam, means to sense the beginning of apage on the recording member, a light shield to prevent unwantedportions of the image beam from contacting the member, and means fortaking up the recording member after the member has passed through theimage copying device.
 13. An automatic photo-composing system forcopying graphic images, line drawings and half tones in either color orblack and white from film copies of the desired images to the correcthorizontal and vertical location on a recording member, comprising acopying apparatus including a light sensitive recording member which maycontain photo-typeset text or page indicator marks, means forpositioning the graphic film images for copying them onto the recordingmember, means for projecting an image beam through the film image, meansfor intermittently moving the recording member relative to the imagebeam, an optical correction system for correcting errors in filmreposItioning comprising a photo-electric target receiving an indicatorimage, one or more rotating mirrors or Dove prisms acting to repositionthe image to a standard position to copy the film image onto therecording member, motors actuating the mirrors and Dove prisms, andoptical means for projecting the image beam with horizontal displacementonto the recording member including an enlarging lens, a device whichsplits the beam into two parts, one of which is projected through a lensto the photo-electric target, a film shutter and means to deflect theremainder of the beam to variable positions on the recording member.